University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville houses nursing in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing (EMSON), part of a large public university setting. Prospective students generally choose from an on-campus, pre-licensure BSN, plus online pathways for working nurses, including LPN to BSN and RN to BSN. Graduate options include an online MSN in nursing education and a Doctor of Nursing Practice with a Family Nurse Practitioner focus.

For online students, the published Fall 2025 tuition rate is $347.58 per credit hour for the RN to BSN and LPN to BSN options, plus per-credit fees. The LPN to BSN also lists program charges including a clinical practicum fee of $145 per credit hour (15 credits) and ATI resource fees ($608 x 4). For graduate online coursework, the published Fall 2025 tuition rate is $612.62 per credit hour for the MSN and DNP, plus the same per-credit fees.

The pre-licensure BSN is an admission-based sequence (120 total credit hours) with specific readiness requirements, including a 3.5 cumulative GPA, a minimum ATI TEAS score of 70, the Casper Situational Judgment Test, and a background check. Progression standards are tightly defined: nursing courses require a “C” or higher, the grading scale sets “C” at 75–82%, and students must maintain at least a 75% exam average to pass a course. ATI proctored exams and remediation are embedded requirements, culminating in an ATI Comprehensive Predictor.

EMSON’s RN to BSN and LPN to BSN options are delivered online in 16-week terms through the University of Arkansas Global Campus. Practicums use a preceptor model and are student-led, meaning students take the lead in identifying clinical sites and preceptors, then submit them for school approval and affiliation processing. The MSN also includes locally arranged clinical practicum hours with qualified preceptors, plus a required two-day campus visit for the health assessment course.

On licensure outcomes, the school’s average weighted NCLEX-RN pass rate is 88.4%, compared with the 2024 Arkansas state average of 91.1%. The Arkansas PN state average in 2024 was 92.4%.

The nursing administrative offices are located at the Epley Center for Health Professions, 606 N. Razorback Road in Fayetteville, near the main University of Arkansas campus and its core student services corridor.

Not reviewed yet

Updated: 31 Jul, 2024

The University of Arkansas Master of Science in Nursing, program is an online program offered through the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing. The program offers specialization in Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nurse Educator.

The program including 500 hours of supervised clinical practice can be completed in 2 years and a summer semester of full time study. Part time students may take up to six consecutive calendar years from the first semester of enrollment in the program.

The program prepares students to promote evidence based practice to prepare for advanced roles as teachers, practitioners, managers, consultants and researchers.

Admission Requirements

University of Arkansas Graduate School admission
Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an CCNE or NLNAC accredited college or university
Current, valid and unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse
Complete a basic health assessment course
A minimum of a ‘C’ score on a basic statistics course
Basic skills with library and computer technology

Applicants for the program will be accepted on the basis of the availability of space. The application deadline for admission in the fall semester is the 15th of July the deadline for admission in the spring semester is the 15th of October and the 15th of March for admission in the summer.